Practical advantages of working in education (notably: SUMMER)

Just a quick update for those of you who use this blog as your Haydkoz connection... maybe some of those Michigan folk....

In Laura land, the world spins peacefully. My semester is drawing to a close and, as I approach graduation, I can't help but reflect on the past year at UMass - my 2nd year on the job. This year was remarkably easier than the 1st year, making room for me to focus more on researching/writing and less on administrative duties. While my administrative tasks are still the same (I direct two graduate programs), they're much easier to handle after learning them, rather than trying to handle them while learning them! I wrapped up some solid residual research from BU and began a couple of new projects that will continue even while I'm on maternity leave, which makes me very excited. We're starting a PhD program in the Fall and, as a faculty member within the PhD program, I will have my research team doing research while I'm on leave, which is great for students and keeps me connected to the world of academia. I'm guessing my productivity also increased this year because Brad was on the other side of the world for the past semester, but since I'll probably be significantly less productive for the foreseeable future, it was most likely very fortuitous timing.

In Brad land, he is on a plane from Xi'an to Beijing as I type. He said goodbye to the Gauxin school yesterday, had a few beers with his international pals, and wrapped up loose ends at the place he's called home for the past 4 months. Over the weekend, he'll be exploring the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the Olympic site, Tiananmen Square, and many other really cool places I've only read about in books. He comes home on Monday night. I.CAN'T.WAIT. I have to say, if you haven't already done so, I highly recommend you check out all the cool places Brad and the students have visited over the past 4 months by clicking here. You can also access it by going through Brad's China Website and clicking on the Xi'an Map. It's amazing to think about how many interesting sites they've all seen.

In Haydkoz land, we're both wicked excited about the upcoming addition to our little family, the summer Olympics (yay), seeing our Michigan family members over the summer, and enjoying the next 3 months together without working!!! Come Fall, when Brad's work life picks back up again, I'll maintain the home front for the semester before I head back to work in early February. We're in for a fun new adventure!!!!